Beautiful angels

FLORAL tribute . . . to victims of the Manchester Arena bombing, including Royton mums Lisa Lees and and Alison Howe (below) at Royton Town Hall

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HUNDREDS of pink balloons will be released in memory of two Royton mums who were killed in the Manchester bombing.

Family members, friends and residents will gather at the top of Tandle Hill for the commemorative balloon release at 6pm tomorrow as the community unites to pay their respects to the 22 victims of the attack. Up to 1,000 residents are expected to attend.

Flowers and tribute cards honouring "beautiful angels" Alison Howe (44) and Lisa Lees (43) have been laid under the flagpole outside Royton Town Hall.

Alison and Lisa had gone to collect their 15-year-old daughters India and Darcie from the Ariana Grande concert and were in the foyer of the Manchester Arena together when the blast went off.

Tributes continue to flood in for Lisa, a tutor at Oldham College, and Alison, a former Royal Oldham Hospital worker.

Lisa's daughter Lauren Ashleigh Lees (25), a teaching assistant at Oldham Hulme Grammar School, posted a photo of her with her mum yesterday morning after hearing the tragic news.

Former Royton and Crompton School pupil Lauren is expecting her second child which she said her mum was "really excited about." Blue Coat School said their "hearts go out to the families" whose children attended the school.

A statement from headteacher Julie Hollis yesterday read: "We were saddened to learn this morning that Mrs Lisa Lees, mother of India in Year 10, and Mrs Alison Howe, mother of Sasha in Year 13 and Darcie in Year 10, died in the bombing at the Manchester Arena. Our hearts go out to them.

"This dreadful news affects the whole school community, and particularly Years 10 and 13 where the girls have so many friends."

Special assemblies were held throughout the day in memory of the two mums, while messages of love and support for the pupils and their families were shared on a prayer tree.

Bethesda Chapel in Dogford Road was open for 12 hours yesterday for those "who might want to find a quiet place."

Royton Town Hall, in Rochdale Road, has been set up as a community hub for residents between 9am and 5pm daily.

Specialist support staff are on hand, and information such as where to give blood and make donations is being handed out to visitors.

An Oldham College spokesman said: "Lisa was a much loved member of our team at the College. She was dedicated to the apprentices in her care at Salon 7 in Oldham town centre. In return they admired and respected her professionalism and her total commitment as their trainer assessor.

"Lisa had long and deep links with the college. As a student, she trained and qualified in hair and beauty. She then progressed her career in the industry before returning to Oldham College to nurture the next generation of hair and beauty professionals.

"Lisa had many outstanding qualities as a tutor and as a person. She always tried to put something extra back into her local community, worked hard to do this and inspired others along the way. An outstanding example of her contribution, is Pure Essence, which she established in 2011. It provided a therapeutic service, especially for children with life limiting conditions and complex health needs.

"Staff and students are deeply moved by the loss of Lisa, and wish to celebrate and commemorate her exemplary life. We will be guided by her family's wishes on the best way to do this. Our thoughts are very much with them at this tremendously difficult time."

Councillor Steve Bashforth, of Royton South ward, said: "We share the grief. These are our people. This is something we always think will never happen to us but here we are in the middle of it. It has cast an evil shadow over us all.

"All the local councillors are here to help. If the family or friends need anything at all, if it is humanely possible, we will do it."

Books of condolence for all those who were killed and injured in the terror attack have been opened at Royton Town Hall, open between 9am and 5pm, and Oldham Civic Centre's entrance, which is open weekdays between 7am and 5pm.

An online book of condolence for the borough has also been launched by Oldham Council at www.oldham.gov.uk.

Manchester mum Sarah Trulio has set up a crowdfunding page to raise £2,000 in memory of the victims, including Alison, Lisa and "beautiful princess" Olivia Campbell (15), from Bury, who died in Monday's attack.

Co-organiser of the balloon release Elisia Smith said: "We want to show respects to all the victims in Monday's tragic attack, the ones who are still lucky enough to be here with us, and the ones who sadly aren't, especially the two lovely ladies of Royton, Alison Howe and Lisa Lees.

"It would be amazing to see as many people as possible join us and really see how strong our community is."

Details about tomorrow's balloon release can be found on Facebook at "Tandle Hills Gathering for the Manchester Attack Victims".

Lisa's brother Lee Hunter said via social media last night: "Thank-you everyone for your kind messages of support. It has been an overwhelming response."